Thrilling ODI Clash Between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Hambantota

In a heart-stopping encounter in Hambantota, the second One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series between Afghanistan and Pakistan showcased breathtaking moments. Pakistan's pacer Naseem Shah emerged as the hero, echoing memories of the previous year's Asia Cup. With just one wicket in hand, Naseem Shah's timely four on the penultimate ball sealed a nail-biting victory

Thrilling Finish in Hambantota: Naseem Shah's Heroic Performance

Afghanistan's Strong Start in Powerplay 1

Early Wicket Shakes Afghanistan's Powerplay 1 Momentum

Afghanistan's Steady Progress in Powerplay 2

Solid Opening Partnership and Drinks Break Update

Rahmanullah Gurbaz Reaches Half-Century

Afghanistan's Century and Second Drinks Break Update

Rahmanullah Gurbaz's Remarkable Century

Afghanistan's Continued Scoring and Conclusion of Innings

Pakistan's Solid Start in Powerplay 1

Early Wicket Disruption in Powerplay 1

Pakistan's Consistent Scoring in Powerplay 2

Partnership Progress and First Drinks Break Update

Babar Azam's Half-Century in Powerplay 2

Afghanistan's Bowling Challenges Disrupt

In the Afghanistan innings, during the Powerplay 1 from overs 0.1 to 10.0, they managed to score 48 runs without losing any wickets. However, in the 8.4th over, Pakistan challenged an umpire decision through a review while bowling, leading to a wicket a bys the decision was upheld. The batter, Ibrahim Zadran, was struck down. Powerplay 2, spanning from overs 10.1 to 40.0, saw Afghanistan accumulating 179 runs and losing 1 wicket. The team's score reached 50 runs in 10.2 overs, with a total of 7 extras. The first wicket partnership reached 50 runs in 64 balls, involving Rahmanullah Gurbaz (32) and Ibrahim Zadran (11), with 7 extra runs. At the drinks break, Afghanistan was at 64/0 in 14.0 overs, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz at 40 and Ibrahim Zadran at 17. Rahmanullah Gurbaz achieved his half-century off 72 balls, including 4 fours and 1 six.

As the innings progressed, Afghanistan reached the 100-run mark in 21.5 overs, adding 10 extra runs. The partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz (64) and Ibrahim Zadran (26) reached the 100-run milestone in 133 balls, with 10 extra runs contributing. Ibrahim Zadran achieved his fifty off 71 balls, comprising 5 fours and 1 six. The team continued to build their score, and at the 30.1-over mark, they had 150 runs on the board with 11 extra runs. During this time, the partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz (86) and Ibrahim Zadran (55) reached the 150-run mark in 183 balls, with 11 extras included. At the second drinks break, Afghanistan had scored 157/0 in 31.0 overs, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz on 90 and Ibrahim Zadran on 56. Rahmanullah Gurbaz went on to complete his century off 122 balls, featuring 7 fours and 3 sixes.

In the latter part of their innings, Afghanistan reached 200 runs in 36.4 overs, accumulating 12 extra runs. The partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz (114) and Ibrahim Zadran (75) reached the 200-run milestone in 222 balls, including 12 extras. Powerplay 3, which covered overs 40.1 to 50.0, required Afghanistan to score 73 runs and resulted in the loss of 4 wickets. The team reached 250 runs in 43.2 overs, with 13 extra runs included. Rahmanullah Gurbaz's score reached 150 off 150 balls, comprising 14 fours and 3 sixes. As their innings concluded, Afghanistan had scored 300/5 in 50 overs, with Hashmatullah Shahidi at 15 not out and Abdul Rahman at 4 not out.

Moving on to Pakistan's innings, the Powerplay 1, spanning overs 0.1 to 10.0, led them to 65 runs for the loss of 1 wicket. A review by Pakistan in the 4.4th over challenged the umpire's decision, resulting in the wicket being upheld. Imam-ul-Haq was the batter dismissed. The team reached 50 runs in 8.4 overs, with 2 extra runs. The opening partnership achieved the 50-run mark in 52 balls, involving Fakhar Zaman (30) and Imam-ul-Haq (20), along with 2 extra runs. During Powerplay 2, from overs 10.1 to 40.0, Pakistan aimed for 155 runs and lost 5 wickets. At the first drinks break, the score was 96/1 in 16.0 overs, with Imam-ul-Haq at 39 and Babar Azam at 23. By the 26.5-over mark, Pakistan had accumulated 150 runs with 15 extra runs. The partnership between Imam-ul-Haq (44) and Babar Azam (43) reached the 100-run mark in 114 balls, including 13 extra runs. Babar Azam completed his half-century off 63 balls, featuring 6 fours. However, challenges from Afghanistan's bowling resulted in Pakistan losing wickets through reviews. At the 31.3-over mark, Mohammad Rizwan's wicket was upheld after a review by Afghanistan. The 32.6-over review led to another wicket being upheld, and Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed. Pakistan reached 200 runs in 36.3 overs, including 19 extra runs. Powerplay 3, spanning overs 40.1 to 50.0, required Pakistan to score 82 runs and resulted in the loss of 3 wickets. The team reached 250 runs in 45.4 overs, with 24 extra runs included. Ultimately, Pakistan scored 300 runs in 49.5 overs, with 30 extra runs, bringing their innings to a close.

Tags: Cricket, ODI Match, Afghanistan vs Pakistan, Hambantota, Thrilling Encounter, Naseem Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Babar Azam, Innings, Powerplay, Review, Wickets, Century, Partnership, Bowling Challenges, Victory

By : Sunil Kumar, Attingal